10 Tips for Thrift Shopping

I like to shop. I shop at thriftstores weekly, does that count as a lot? I can understand why someone might assume that this is materialistic, and in essence, yes - it is. I am collecting material items, but allow myself to defend....myself. The act of thrifting is something different than waltzing into a Forever 21 soley to distract my mind from reality or fill a void like a broken hearted lover does with a pint of Ben and Jerry's. Don't get me wrong, I have done that (the Forever 21 thing and the Coffee Toffee Crunch thing). Unlike fast fashion retailers though, thrifting comes with a thrill - walking into the mothball smelling and occasionally itchy unknown. Thrift Stores are in a way our own little modern-day museums of anthropology. You have NO CLUE what treasures you will stumble upon whilst you peruse amongst the belongings of the departed or the items previously stowed in attics until someone finally decided to donate them (thank you, someone). When you find that weird and wonderful something, it is the best feeling. And that's the difference.

With all that said, I can state with enough confidence that I've got some thrifting skillzzzz, and I would like to share them with you, lover.

1. Scan aisles for color and texture: This is skill I acquired only in the past year or so. Thrift stores can be a bit over whelming. Instead of thumbing through every item on a 20 foot rack (particularly if you plan on hitting more than one shop in a day especially if you plan on hitting more than one shop a day) scan slowly with your eyes. Look for colors and patterns you love or good texture in the clothing. You know when something is well made by the feel of it. When an item catches your eye take a better look. No need to put your eyes on the entirely of every piece of clothing in a thrift store.

2. Inspect like mofackin' inspector gadget: For realzz. Look for loose or missing buttons, tears and/or doo doo stains. (Sorry I'm not sorry I went there). If it has any of these, move on. Which leads me to #3...

3. If it needs too much work or doesn't fit, don't buy it: Unless you are a DIY ninja or the piece is AMAZING OUT OF THIS WORLD DYNO-MITE, don't bring home things you'll need to alter/fix. You will most likely NOT get that stain out. You will most likely NOT take that dress in. You will however end up with bags full of clothes at Buffalo Exchange/Beacons Closet/Your neighborhood consignment shop hoping they will throw you some bones for the items that you never got around to altering.

4. Take your time (it's supposed to be fun and fascinating): Secondhand stores are like museums. For full thrifting satisfaction don't just look for a specific thing. Have a good laugh at some of items. Marvel in the weirdness of it all. It's fun to treasure hunt! I like to take my time and look in every section. If you're in a hurry or with someone who doesn't necessarily dig on digging in thrift stores all the fun will be RUINED!!! RUUUUU-EEEEEEEEND!!! (I yelled that at the sky with my fist in the air for added drama)

5. Wear your thriftin' clothes! Many thrift stores don't have dressing rooms. It's good to wear something comfortable and easy to try things on over (tights, t-shirts, flats, sandals or skirts for example). Don't be too prideful to pull a dress over your head in the aisles. Really, no one there gives a care. Also, bring a pair of socks incase you want to try shoes on. And for the love of all things holy, wear underwear.

6. Venture outside the women's section: You can find some great plaid button ups in the youth section, or cute little jackets and coats. The men's section has a plethora of oversized dress shirts and chunky Cosby sweaters. (I've found some great shoes in the men's section too!)

7. Home Goods is a DIY haven: I've always found home good DIY's to be easier than anything that has to do with sewing. The home goods sections in a thrift store is a wooden/metal/plastic junk pile of inspiration! Pretty much any item in this section can be painted and spruced up. (Candle holders, frames, vases, etc).

8. Ask when they restock: Typically thrift stores have certain days when they haul new items out (specifically furniture). Ask a friendly clerk! Show up early too for first dibs!

9. Go off the beaten path: Take the time to drive 15 more minutes to a more obscure part of town. Everyone LOVES the "novelty" of thrift stores, but many people aren't going to drive to the "less economically affluent" parts of town to really treasure hunt. My favorite thrift stores are in places I don't otherwise normally go. The Goodwill in Santa Monica? Not fabulous. Sun Thrift in Sun Valley? Booya.

10. Don't forget the jewelry: I use my phone to tell time. Watches? Fashion statement. I love buying those little gold and silver watches and wearing 2 or 3 at once. Retro men's watches are cute to stack too (see here). Also, you can find tons of far out broaches and maybe even a bolo tie in the jewelry case at a thrift store.

BONUS*** Do yourself a favor and if you're going thrift shopping go to more than one place in a trip. If you strike out at one place, chances are you'll do better at the next.

Polka Dot Palazzo Pants

 Oh my word, y'all. This month has been crazy busy. The weather is starting to get beautiful and my loved ones from Texas are flocking to LA. Not complaining, because my house has been full of best friends and siblings and my sweet parents HOWEVER when getting dressed all I have time to do is throw on something with an elastic waist. (This is the time where I would pull my elastic waist band away from my belly with my thumb, give you a wink and snap it back).

Enter polka dot pocketed palazzo paaaaaants! (I win at alliteration).
P pants (what I'm calling palazzo pants from here on out in this post, for your pleasure) are one of the most hilarious pieces of clothing to me. Mostly because people think you're wearing a skirt, and then when you do a deep lunge everyone is happily surprised at the P Pant cuteness.  (Kinda like a skort. Skorts are hilarious to me too, but I don't do deep lunges in them). P pants also happen be one of the most comfortable pieces of clothing. All the freedom of a skirt, but you can can do high kicks.

I kept the rest of the outfit easy as well. The sweater shirt is one of my favorites (it kinda has the same affect on the girls as the one in this post) I'm quite sure I have never seen another vintage piece quite that color green. The three watches are a go-to when I'm accessorizing, and don't have time to think. And finally, the neutral brogues...if you don't have a pair, you should getcha some. They go with EVERYTHING in the summer and spring. Seriously. I'm trying to think of what they don't go with and I can't.

{Shoes: Gifted Kenneth Cole  (similar and not as expensive here) 

(and these in brown and white for a no lace version...adorable!!)}{Panama Hat: Thrifted (similar)}

{P Pants: Thrifted (I found these on ASOS they aren't capris but they are polka dotted and super cute!}

{Shirt, Belt, Watches and Bag: Thrifted}

She Might Go All The Way

This is one of those looks that would be nothing without accessories. Sometimes you just want to be completely comfortable yet still stylish, and I think you can achieve that by layering on gobs of ridiculous accessories. I think the rule is actually only to have one pop to keep it classy, but I just went for it from head to toe. Thankfully it worked. You could probably just pick ONE of these and be good to go...

50's inspired scarf to feminize an otherwise ordinary pony tail.

Giant statement necklace for a solid shirt or camisole. (In this case my carousel horse which is one of my favorite pieces that I just don't wear enough).

A bright clutch/shoulder bag in place of the usual black or brown.

A HILARIOUS rhinestone belt inherited from my NaNa. (I have to be careful what I choose to pair this bad boy with or else I end up looking like a cougar trolling at a sports bar).

Bright green suede shoes I found at a thrift store. I like to call them Harlem Church Going Shoes. 

And of course, three watches....none of which work. What I'm doing here is making an ironic statement about the irrelevance of time (no I'm not).

Scarf, Necklace, Watches, Jacket and Shoes all vintage or thrifted, Belt: Gift, Jeans: F21, Pink Cami: H&M, Glasses: Cotton On

90s Trends: The Good, The Bad, and The Rachel

 We must now discuss how exciting it is that 90's clothes are considered vintage. For me, it is the first decade that has made a come back in fashion that I actually experienced in the first place. It's an exciting feeling. However, because I was mostly in elementary and middle school in the 90's, my style consisted of stirrup tight pants, lisa frank, sweat shirts with puff paint, ad nauseum (jk, don't ad nauseam. Nothing about that list makes me nauseous. It's all amazing). I will also say with pride that I diiiiid get into the grungier stuff in middle school...overalls, flannel, converse etc.

It's an amazing thing to watch an era make a comeback like that. Now, according to Urban Outfitters it's cool to wear t-shirts featuring wolves howling at the moon and/or horses galloping into a sunset. (if you found a shirt featuring both...well, holy moly,  you could probably sell it at a vintage store for $50).

If I'm remembering correctly, only super nerds wore that shit in the 90's. There was always a girl that wore a horse shirt everyday of the week, and sadly she didn't have very many friends. Here's the thing though, wolves howling at the moon ARE really cool. Same with the horses galloping. I mean....have you ever seen wild horses.......galloping? No? Me neither, but I fucking wish I could say I have.

So maybe those nerds sporting the wildlife tee's in the 90's were actually cooler than the rest of us. They knew wildlife was legit enough to wear on a t-shirt and they didn't care who else thought so. Everyone else is just now catching on.

Wildlife t's aren't really my thing now-a-days. That was just an observational rant. However, the 90's trends that made a come back which most excite me are as following:

-Denim vests
-Little Floral Dresses
-Dr. Martin Boots
-Joseph Gordon Levitt
-High-waisted Denim
-Friendship Bracelets
-Heroin Chic
-T Shirts with Thug Versions of our favorite Looney Tunes (oh shit, is that just me?)
-Crop Tops
-90's style Ralph Lauren

And 90's trends that kinda gross me out that may or may not have made a come back:
-Sketchers
-Puka Shell Necklaces
-Dr. Martin Sandals
-Baby G Watches
-The Caesar Cut. ---- THE WORST
-The Spiky Hair Bun
-Brown Lip Stick
-Jncos
-Electronic Dance Music

90's trends I still can't decide on:
-Mandarin print

How 'bout you guys? What are your favorite and least favorite 90's trends?

{Black Hat: Gifted (similar here)}{Levi's Denim Vest: Thrifted Vintage (here's one!)}

{Knit Crop Cardigan: Vintage}{Wedge Booties: Urban Outfitters (old)}

Beauty Tip: Learn to Love

 'Sup Horse mouth!? I would like to take advantage of these pixels to proclaim that this is not a lure for compliments or pats on the back. I wanted to talk about this, because I know nearly every person will be able to relate. It was only about 3 years ago I began to feel comfortable smiling in photographs. My smile had been the main source of self-consciousness in terms of my face for 26 years. Because, well....it's HUGE. The problem is, when I was younger it got huge before anything else on my face or body had the chance to catch up. With buck teeth and huge gums I was the prettiest belle at the ball (belles = kids, ball = playground me = being sarcastic. I was not the prettiest.)Yes, yes the teasing ensued, as I'm sure you too experienced in elementary, middle and/or high school.

What? What's that you say? You weren't teased in school? Oh, well...how pleasant that must've been! And if Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion taught us anything it's that you will NOT be flying away in a helicopter with Alan Cumming, so you can suck on that!

Anyhow, about 3 years ago I saw a photograph of myself, caught in the midst of happiness and just decided I was over feeling that way. With the plethora of digital photos taken now a days, it seemed like a waste of energy to put effort into trying to figure out an expression to make other than a smile whenever a phone propped itself in front of my face.

It's a fucking smile. It represents happiness! So what if the barn yard animal I most closely resemble is of the equestrian variety!? Horses are graceful, noble beasts, dammit! (Also I realized not smiling in social situations can make one look like he/she has "pretentious ass/bitch face").

With all that said I have allowed my smile to become one of my most favorite physical attributes. No more covering it up with my hand when I laugh! My shit is large and in charge. It's all about perspective.  Take your pasty skin for example. It's actually fair skin, and some might go so far as to say it's porcelain-like. Bug eyes? Nope! Disney Princess eyes...you get the idea. Also, bushy eyebrows are fraking dramatic in a good way, so stop obsessing. (Uni-brows? Well you can pluck or not pluck, but Frida Kahlo made that werrrrrk. She did not come here to give a F, and she is one of the most gorgeous women of all time. OF ALL TIME).

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and when it comes to your own beauty (if my mom taught me anything) you just happen to be the most important beholder, ya heard?!

Any qualities you've learned to love about yourself?

{Jacket: Stolen from my little brother}{Silk Shirt: Thrifted}{Skirt: Thrifted (similar)}

{Watches, Necklace, Rings: Vintage or Thrifted}{Belt: Thrifted (similar)}{Boots: Born (similar)}

Too Hot for Politikin'

It's gettin' too hot for politikin' here in Texas. (I say in a rocking chair

as I fan my sweaty face with a straw hat). What I mean by that is....it's 

too hot for layers. It's officially skirt/shorts/tank top/naked time here 

in the Lone Star State. I took these and promptly peeled all of it off 

and got myself poolside. (Happy Memorial Day BTW). 

I know I have dumb face/bitch face? in these photos, but sometimes it's hard to get 

enthusiastic when you're taking photos of yourself. 

Actually you feel pretty ridiculous. I'll start trying harder. Either that or cutting

out my face all together, for all of our sakes.

I LOVE the shape of these shoes. 

The piano is a nice prop for photos. I can successfully play Ice Dance

and I'm reeeal sorry cause my neighbors hear it twice a day. 

I'm working on other things too. I took lessons when I was 8, and it's all 

rattling around in the back of my brains somewheres. 

If you don't already know, I have a serious affinity for Grandpa watches.... 

any sort of time telling device actually.

Chere and I found an "Everything's a Dollar" Thrift Store yesterday. 

I love it when you stumble upon things like that. 

Lace Shirt: H&M, Ginghan Shirt: Target, Jeans: UO, Jewels: Thrifted, Grandma and Stolen :)

Shoes: Seychelles 

Shoot! I forgot my camera...get it?

I know it must be boring seeing pictures of me at my place...post, after post, after post...if anyone even looks at all... This past month I've been pretty cooped up. I might actually be going a little stir crazy. I haven't been working much, have started a few books, learned Ice Dance from Edward Scissor Hands on the piano (jealous?), washed the sheets, made dents in piles of clothes on my floor where my closet vomited into my room, and hung art on my walls....Alright, now that I have successfully articulated my eventful holiday season, I can show you some more photos...of me....at my place. ha!

My parents bought me some pretty sweet constant lights to shoot portraits with. Yay! I got one all set up and realized I left my camera at their place. Balls! So I messed around with my point and shoot. 

My 2 fave elements of this little ensemble are my napping leopard MiMi D neckalce, and my orange and navy printed scarf. 

I luv u. enjoi. (remember that skate brand?)

This is a picture of Del moving in front of the camera while I was trying to have a moment..Deeevuh! 

It reminds me of those creepy instants in deep sea thriller films where the sea monster nonchalantly swims by the window of the submarine as if to say "I know you're in there, and I'm gonna eat you" and everyone inside is all like, "what was that?!?.....Did you see that.??..." and then the power goes out...You know what I'm talking about, right?

Wearin' UO red tank, DKNY jeans, Thrifted belt, watches, MiMi D Leopard Necklace, and head scarf, Forev Cardigan, Diamond pinky ring from NaNa and Ebay found Birdbath ring. 

Some New Years

Our New Year's was pretty low-key.We happened upon one of our favorite local bands, Telegraph Canyon, playing across from our house at Sons of Hermann Hall. Really great show. Super intimate. We also stumbled upon some Swedish guys in a band called Case Conrad. They are fabulous, go to the link to listen. They had been staying with my friend, Danielle. She brought them out to Dallas, and we showed them a time. Providing them with books and music to take with them on the rest of their journey across the U.S.

Vintage sequin blouse, target tights and socks, UO lace up boots, forev21 skirt and giant bird ring, thrifted watches. 

This time of year...you can see Spring's head crowning and it gives you an insatiable itch to sit on a patio and drink Margaritas. Girls reaching for tank tops and dresses, damning the weather for not being just 5 degrees warmer... You see humans from all cracks and crevasses beginning to emerge, basking in the sunshine as if it were brand new. I LOVE SPRING.

Here's Jonathan, looking sick as ever. If you look closely that is an Indian Chief Belt Buckle found at Lula B's for his birthday. (Lula B's is moving from Greenville to Main St. in Deep Elum, which makes it a walkable distance from our place. Good-Bye savings).

I've taken a serious liking to wearing multiple watches at one time (none of which work...like it matters). You can find lots of them at any thrift store for super cheap. 

Here's some lovely, strappy, chunky, grade-A Pelle Moda shoes I found at Nordstrom Rack Marked down from $200.oo to $49. aaaaahh snap!

Wearing vintage dress from Doc's Records ($7) thrifted braided belt and a Forever 21 giraffe necklace. 

Happy Porching everyone!